More to come from Black Country food venue after successful first few months

The managers of a new food and drink hub in Brierley Hill have spoken about the success of the first two months since opening.

The team behind Dockworks Waterfront have said that 20,000 food and drink fans from across the Midlands have visited the new Midlands food and culture venue in its first two months.

Celebrating the success of their new waterside home, owners Digbeth Dining Club (DDC) have also doubled down on a commitment to building the ‘ideal community space’ for the Black Country, working with visitors and regulars to refine their food, drink, and events offering for the summer.

Figures from the team show that 60 street food traders at the 7,000 square foot former steelworks site in Brierley Hill, reimagined with a £500,000 refit, have served 20,000 meals to visitors since opening in late February.

Staff at the day and nightlife destination have also served 3,000 pints to accompany in the same time, also welcoming around 500 dogs with owners, including two Great Danes and 20 Daschunds.

Kasia Majewska, general manager of Dockworks Waterfront, said: “The past two months at Dockworks have been an incredible journey.

“As someone living in the Black Country, I believed in this project from the very beginning and have been fully invested in seeing it succeed.

“This has meant listening to our guests and expanding our range with a massive selection of non-alcoholic options, new spirits, and even changing our beer lines to match local tastes.

“This focus has driven a 67% increase in trade since our opening week.

“Beyond being a street food and drink spot we are evolving into a true cultural hub and ideal community space.“

In addition to supporting scores of established street food businesses with regular on-site trading weekly opportunities between Thursdays and Sundays, DDC is also supporting a new generation of food creators at Dockworks Waterfront.

A selection of participants from the West Midlands Street Food Incubator scheme funded by West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, and delivered by DDC and the Nationwide Caterers Association, will be invited to trade at the DY5 site, beginning with Brierley Hill-based fledgling smash burger brand Streatery over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

Aaron Davies, owner of Streatery said: "The Incubator has been a great experience for me, meeting like-minded people and learning a lot along the way.

“As a new business, chances like this mean everything.

“Working with Digbeth Dining Club is a big step for Streatery, and I’m really excited to be involved.

“I’m looking forward to trading at Dockworks this weekend on home turf and getting our food out there."

DDC will launch a summer programme at Dockworks Waterfront in the coming weeks, with live music over the May Day and Whitsun Bank Holiday weekends.